Claro completes purchase of Desktop for R$4 billion, expanding leadership in broadband in São Paulo

Claro formalized its intention to acquire all shares in Desktop, a broadband operator with a strong presence in the interior of São Paulo, in a transaction valued at R$4 billion. Este amount covers the operator’s net debt, which totals R$1.58 billion, resulting in a net value of R$2,414,749,380.00 for the operation. The telecommunications giant’s strategic move signals significant consolidation in the high-speed internet market, reinforcing its national leadership and expanding its influence in the state of São Paulo. The valuation of Claro estimates each of the 1.2 million users of Desktop at approximately R$3.3 thousand, and each share at R$20.82, highlighting the value perceived in the growth and customer base of Desktop. The deal, however, is still awaiting the green light from important regulatory bodies.

The completion of the agreement fundamentally depends on the approval of Conselho Administrativo of Defesa Econômico (Cade) and of Agência Nacional of Telecomunicações (Anatel). A portion of the total value will be held in an escrow account and released progressively over five years, subject to compliance with specific conditions that may influence the final purchase value.

Once the operation was completed, Claro committed to filing with Comissão of Valores Mobiliários (CVM) a request for registration of a public offer for the acquisition of shares in Desktop. Esta measure aims to guarantee the right to tag along to other shareholders of

Impact of the acquisition on the market scenario

The acquisition of Desktop by Claro is a move that redefines the dynamics of the broadband market, especially in the state of São Paulo. With the conclusion of this operation, Claro, which already holds the leadership in number of subscribers in the broadband segment in the country, will further consolidate its dominant position.

The regional operator Desktop recorded, according to a survey by Anatel in 2025, approximately 1.2 million broadband accesses in São Paulo alone. By integrating this base into its network, which already has 10.5 million total subscribers, of which 4.52 million are distributed throughout São Paulo, Claro will have almost 12 million customers across the country and around 6 million in São Paulo alone. Esse substantial growth reinforces its reach and ability to offer high-quality internet services.

Regulatory perspective and competition

The initial conversations between Claro and Desktop, confirmed in 2025, generated some concern in the regulatory agency regarding a possible competition risk. Anatel closely followed the development of this negotiation, considering the potential for market concentration.

However, in more recent statements, the president of Anatel, Carlos Baigorri, expressed that this concentration and future acquisitions of internet service providers (ISPs) are not cause for great alarm. Ele argues that the ease of entry for new competitors in the broadband sector, especially with fiber optic technologies, mitigates the risks of oligopoly, allowing the continuous emergence of new companies and maintaining competitive dynamics.

Historical relevance and new paradigms

This deal represents an important milestone in the Brazilian telecommunications sector, being the first significant acquisition of a regional operator with a significant presence in the broadband market by one of the three large national telecommunications operators. Desde 2014, a period in which regional operators began to gain prominence in the fiber optic segment, a consolidation movement of this magnitude by large companies had not been observed, although previous studies and analyzes on acquisitions had already taken place, such as the consideration of Vivo buying Vero and Desktop itself.

Regional operators, many of them controlled by international investment funds, experienced a first cycle of consolidation, absorbing small providers and transforming into medium-sized operations. Notable Exemplos include Desktop itself, Brasil Tecpar, Alloha and Vero, as well as companies such as Unifique and Brisanet, which are not linked to large funds.

More recently, a second stage was observed, in which medium-sized operators began to acquire others with already consolidated customer bases. The current movement, with Claro purchasing a medium-sized company like Desktop, marks the transition to a new phase of consolidation, changing the structure of the sector significantly and setting precedents for future transactions.

Claro strategy in focus

The acquisition of Desktop by Claro not only reinforces its leadership, but also signals the resumption of an old and successful strategy for the operator. In the 2010s, Claro pioneered a consolidation process, acquiring several cable TV operators that already had relevant broadband customer bases.

This strategy proved to be fundamental for the company at the time, allowing it to consolidate a prominent and leading position in both markets: pay TV and broadband internet. By replicating this approach with Desktop, Claro demonstrates its intention to continue expanding its reach and strengthening its infrastructure to meet the growing demand for high-speed connectivity.

The transaction reflects a long-term strategic vision for Claro, which seeks not only to expand its customer base, but also to improve the quality of its services and the efficiency of its operation in key regions. The experience of Desktop in the interior of São Paulo, with its fiber network and knowledge of the local market, complements the structure of Claro, promising synergies and improvements for consumers.